The mother of an 8th grader at Presbyterian Christian School who was killed in a car wreck four years ago was at that school Wednesday presenting an annual award in honor of her daughter. Leslie McGill gave the Marissa McGill Christian Character Award to student Preston Bell during a Senior Awards Program.

Marissa, who attended PCS for four years, was killed in May 2008. After her death, her parents helped establish two orphanages in Africa that bear her name.

"I'm so proud of my daughter and so proud of who she was and I'm proud to give that award," said Leslie McGill.

"I didn't know her that well, but I can still see her smile," said Preston Bell. "There was just a glow about her and she was a shining example for our Lord," Preston said.

"We, as a faculty, talked about it the next fall and we decided to do this Marissa McGill Christian Character Award and it's just been a very positive thing that we've done among our students," said Chip Jones, principal of Presbyterian Christian High School.

The school also gives a Marissa McGill Christian Character Award each month to a deserving student.